Recliner

ABSTRACT

A recliner includes a seat, a backrest pivotally installed on the seat between a high position and a low position, a stool movably installed on the seat between a withdrawn position and an extended position, a first mechanism for two-way pivotal of the backrest and one-way movement of the stool and a second mechanism for two-way pivotal of the stool.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a recliner.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,518 discloses a conventional recliner capable of providing various positions. This conventional recliner is however very complicated in structure. This complicated structure includes many parts and eventually entails a very high cost. Moreover, this complicated structure is bulky and heavy.

The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is the primary objective of the present invention to provide a structurally simple recliner.

According to the present invention, a recliner includes a seat, a backrest pivotally installed on the seat between a high position and a low position, a stool movably installed on the seat between a withdrawn position and an extended position, a first mechanism for two-way pivotal of the backrest and one-way movement of the stool and a second mechanism for two-way pivotal of the stool.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described via detailed illustration of the preferred embodiment referring to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 5 are perspective views of a recliner in different positions according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a structure of the recliner of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4 and 6 are similar to FIG. 3 but show the structure of the recliner in different positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A recliner 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 to 6. Referring to FIG. 1, the recliner 10 includes a seat 12, a backrest 14 installed on the seat 12 and a stool 16 movably connected with the seat 12. The backrest 14 can be pivoted between a high position and a low position. The stool 16 is movable between a withdrawn position and an extended position. The recliner 10 includes a handle 54 for controlling two-way pivotal of the backrest 14 and one-way movement of the stool 16. Moreover, the recliner includes a handle 63 for controlling two-way movement of the stool 16.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the seat 12 includes a frame 20 that will not be described in detail for being known in this field.

The backrest 14 includes includes a crossbar 32 rotationally installed on the frame 20 and two levers 30 secured to the crossbar 33. For example, the levers 30 are secured to the crossbar 33 by means of welding. Each lever 30 includes an upper section 31 and a lower section 32. Although not shown, a backrest plate is attached to the upper sections 31 of the levers 30, and a pad made of sponge, for example, is attached to the backrest plate in order to provide a soft feel to a user's back.

The stool 16 includes two linkages 40. Each linkage 40 includes a first link 41 pivotally connected with the frame 20, a second link 42 pivotally connected with the first link 41, a third link 43 pivotally connected with the frame 20, a fourth link 44 pivotally connected with the third link 43 and a bracket 45 pivotally connected with both of the third link 43 and the fourth link 44. The stool 16 further includes a crossbar 46 connected between the first links 41 of the linkages 40. Moreover, the stool 16 includes a spring 47 connected between the crossbar 46 and the frame 20. Although not shown, a stool plate is attached to the brackets 45 of the linkages 40, and a pad made of sponge, for example, is attached to the stool plate in order to provide a soft feel to a user's legs.

Together with the handle 54, a first mechanism is provided for two-way pivotal of the backrest 14 and one-way movement of the stool 16. The first mechanism includes two linkages 50, a telescopic element 53 and a crossbar 55. The telescopic element 53 may be a hydraulic cylinder if so desired. The crossbar 55 is rotationally installed on the frame 20. The handle 54 is secured to the crossbar 55 by means of welding for example. Each linkage 50 includes a first link 51 and a second link 52. The first link 51 is secured to the crossbar 55 by means of welding for example. The second link 52 is pivotally connected with the first link 51 at an end and pivotally connected with the lower section 32 of corresponding one of the levers 30 at an opposite end. The telescopic element 53 is connected between the first link 51 of one of the linkages 50 and the crossbar 46.

Together with the handle 63, a second mechanism is provided for the two-way movement of the stool 16. The second mechanism includes two linkages 60 and a crossbar 64. The crossbar 64 is rotationally installed on the frame 20. The handle 63 is secured to the crossbar 64 by means of welding for example. Each linkage 60 includes a first link 61 and a second link 62. The first link 61 is secured to the crossbar 64 by means of welding for example. The second link 62 is pivotally connected with the first link 61 at an end and pivotally connected with the crossbar 46 at an opposite end.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the handle 54 is pivoted toward the backrest 14. The first links 51 of the linkages 50 are pivoted toward the stool 16. Because of the second links 52 of the linkages 50, the lower sections 32 of the levers 30 of the backrest 14 are pivoted forward, i.e. the upper sections 31 of the levers 30 of the backrest 14 are pivoted forward backward. Thus, the backrest 14 is lowered. Because of the cylinder 53, the first links 41 of the linkages 40 of the stool 16 are pivoted forward. Thus, the stool 16 is extended.

Referring to FIG. 6, the handle 54 is pivoted back to its original position. The first links 51 of the linkages 50 are pivoted toward the backrest 14. Because of the second links 52 of the linkages 50, the lower sections 32 of the levers 30 of the backrest 14 are pivoted backward, i.e. the upper sections 31 of the levers 30 of the backrest 14 are pivoted forward. Thus, the backrest 14 is raised. The cylinder 53 is extended while the first links 41 of the linkages 40 of the stool 16 is not moved. That is, the stool 16 remains extended.

To withdraw the stool 16, the handle 63 is pivoted toward the stool 16. The first links 61 of the linkages 60 are pivoted toward the backrest 14. Because of the second links 62 of the linkages 60, the first links 41 of the linkages 40 of the stool 16 are pivoted backward. Thus, the stool 16 is withdrawn. Accordingly, the cylinder 53 is withdrawn.

The recliner 10 of the present invention is structurally simple. The recliner 10 provides various positions through the use of the first and second mechanism. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, in a first position, the backrest 14 is raised, and the stool 16 withdrawn. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, in a second position, the backrest 14 is lowered, and the stool 16 extended. Referring to FIG. 6, in a third position, the backrest 14 is raised and the stool 16 extended.

In a simplified embodiment, the first mechanism includes only one linkage 50, and the second mechanism only one linkage 60. Each of the crossbars 55 and 64 is replaced with a relatively short pin. Synchronous pivotal of the levers 30 is achieved via securing both of them to the crossbar 33. Synchronous pivotal of the first links 41 is achieved via securing both of them to the crossbar 46.

In a further simplified embodiment, each of the crossbars 33 and 46 is replaced with two pins. Synchronous pivotal of the levers 30 is achieved via securing both of them to the backrest plate. Synchronous pivotal of the first links 41 is achieved via securing both of them to the stool plate.

The present invention has been described via detailed illustration of the preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the preferred embodiment shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims. 

1. A recliner comprising a seat, a backrest pivotally installed on the seat between a high position and a low position, a stool movably installed on the seat between a withdrawn position and an extended position, a first mechanism for two-way pivotal of the backrest and one-way movement of the stool and a second mechanism for two-way pivotal of the stool.
 2. The recliner according to claim 1 wherein the seat includes a frame.
 3. The recliner according to claim 2 wherein the backrest includes two levers rotationally installed on the frame and connected with the first mechanism, and the stool includes two linkages pivotally installed on the frame and connected with the first and second mechanisms.
 4. The recliner according to claim 3 wherein the telescopic element is a hydraulic cylinder.
 5. The recliner according to claim 3 wherein the first mechanism includes a handle pivotally installed on the frame, a linkage connected between the handle and one of the levers and a telescopic element connected between the linkage thereof and one of the linkages of the stool.
 6. The recliner according to claim 5 wherein the linkage of the first mechanism includes a first link non-rotationally connected with the handle and connected with the telescopic element and a second link connected between the first link and one of the levers.
 7. The recliner according to claim 3 wherein the first mechanism includes a crossbar rotationally installed on the frame, a handle secured to the crossbar, two linkages each connected between the crossbar and corresponding one of the levers and a telescopic element connected between one of the linkages thereof and one of the linkages of the stool.
 8. The recliner according to claim 7 wherein each of the linkages of the first mechanism includes a first link secured to the crossbar and linked to the telescopic element and a second link connected between the first the first link and corresponding one of the levers.
 9. The recliner according to claim 3 wherein the second mechanism includes a handle pivotally installed on the frame and a linkage connected between the handle and one of the linkages of the stool.
 10. The recliner according to claim 9 wherein the linkage of the second mechanism includes a first link non-rotationally connected with the handle and a second link connected between the first link and corresponding one of the linkages of the stool.
 11. The recliner according to claim 3 wherein the second mechanism includes a crossbar rotationally installed on the frame, a handle secured to the crossbar and two linkages connected between the crossbar and one of the linkages of the stool.
 12. The recliner according to claim 13 wherein each of the linkages of the second mechanism includes a first link secured to the crossbar of the second mechanism and a second link connected between the first link and corresponding one of the linkages of the stool.
 13. The recliner according to claim 3 wherein the backrest includes a crossbar rotationally installed on the frame, and the levers are secured to the crossbar.
 14. The recliner according to claim 3 wherein the stool includes a crossbar rotationally installed on the frame, and each of the linkages includes a first link secured to the crossbar of the stool.
 15. The recliner according to claim 14 wherein each of the linkages of the stool includes a second link pivotally connected with the first link, a third link pivotally connected with the frame and a fourth link pivotally connected with the third link and a bracket pivotally connected with both of the third link and the fourth link.
 16. The recliner according to claim 15 wherein each of the linkages of the stool includes a bracket pivotally connected with both of the third link and the fourth link for carrying a stool plate.
 17. The recliner according to claim 16 wherein the stool further includes a spring connected between the crossbar thereof and the frame. 